Drawer



Jani. 5, 1937. E. M. STEVENS DRAWER Filed July 11, 1955 5 Smets-sheet 1 Jan. 5, 1937.- l E, MY STEVENS 2,066,655

Jan. 5, 1937. E. M. STEVENS DRAWER Filed July 11, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 5, 1937. E STEVENS 2,066,655

DRAWER Filed July l1, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 feyefe .for

Jan. 5,1937.

E. M. STEVENS DRAWER Filed July 11,-1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Jan. 5, 1937 UNITED STATE 10 Claims.

The invention relates to drawers of the type used as repository for valuables or money, and particularly refers to cash drawers used in cash registers.

It is an object of the invention to provide a drawer which may be opened and closed at will and which may be closed from a distance upon an emergency.

A further object aims at providing a safety device for a drawer which device ordinarily does not interfere with the unrestricted opening or closing of the drawer but operates to automatically close the drawer from any position thereof when desired by remote controlled means.

A still further object aims at providing a safety device for a drawer which is completely detached from and ordinarily does not engage said drawer, but which device enters into engagement with said drawer at any position thereof upon actuation of a distant control and automatically closes the drawer to prevent burglary.

A still further object includes the provision of a safety device which, when the drawer is closed, prevents upon an emergency opening of the drawer.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a cash register with a safety cash drawer so that from a distance the open drawer may be closed if an unauthorized person attempts to rifle the same.

A further object aims at providing a safety device which includes an arm underneath the drawer and normally detached therefrom, but which arm is adapted to enter into engagement with said drawer upon the device being brought into action.

Other and equally important objects will become more apparent from a perusal of the invention which comprises the means described in the following specification, particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part thereof, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a cash register to whose cash drawer the invention is applied.

Fig. 2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. '7 is a section through a modified form of cash drawer.

Fig. 8 is a section on the line 8--8 of Fig. '7.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary section V.through the right lower end of the parts shown in Fig. 8.

(Cl. 23S-22) Fig. l0 is a section on the line IU-Ill of Fig-9.

Fig. 1l is a wiring diagram used in connection with the safety device for the drawer.

Referring to the gures, the casing I0 may be of any suitable shape and is herein rectangular in cross section. It is adapted to receive the usual cash register I I which may be secured thereto, for example, by bolts I2. The casing is formed with an opening I3 for the cash drawer lll. An additional opening I5 is provided at the rear of the casing which is closed by any suitable door it, formed with. locking members Il and also may include one or more locks I8.

Positioned within the casing is a similarly formed inner housing I9 which may be insulated from the outer casing by any suitable electrical insulation Z. The compartment of the inner housing may be divided by a wall 2l to provide a chamber 22 for the mechanism later described and a chamber 23 for the cash drawer I4. The drawer may be of the conventional type with the usual cash compartments and may be supported upon a rail 213 by a roller 25. Additional angular members 2S fastened on either side of the drawer are supported and guided by rollers 21 secured to the housing I 9. Fastened to the rear wall of the cash drawer is a bracket 28 apertured as at 29 to receive a locking pin 3B, operable by any suitable mechanism associated with the cash register Il.

The mechanism for actuating the pin 3B is not illustrated since it forms no part of the present invention. The cash drawer Ill preferably is provided with springs 3I to open the drawer when the pin 3d is withdrawn from the slot 29. The springs .'iI may be received in cup-shaped members 32 secured to the wall 2l.

Note that the front wall 33 of the cash drawer i4 is insulated by an insulating plate 34 from the cash drawer, the purpose of which will later appear.

In housing I9 is a horizontal partition 40 which at its ends is bent down to form vertical flanges di so as to maintain the partition space above the bottom. The partition has a slot l2 for the reception of a lever A3 which is pivoted in a pendant bearing I4 secured to the underside of the partition. The lever at one end carries a pin d5 adapted to engage a pawl M which is pivotally mounted upon an arm 4l. The arm l is pivoted as at 48 upon the partition 40 and is normally held in the dotted line position of Fig. 3 by means of a spring i9 secured at one end to a medial part of the said arm and at the other end to the vertical partition 2i.

. A stop 50 secured to the partition lll prevents the arm 41 to move inwardly past a predetermined position. The free end of the lever 43 extends through an aperture 5| of the sliding member 52 which is reciprocatingly mounted in a guiding member 54. The sliding member 52 is provided with a central slot 55 into which extends a plunger 56, having a cam portion 51 at its free end to actuate said sliding member. The plunger 56 is secured to an insulating disk 58 carried by solenoid plungers 59, which are mounted in solenoids 80. The solenoid plungers 59 are normally maintained in outward position by springs 5| arranged between the solenoids and the heads of the plungers 59. The slide 52 is normally maintained in lowermost position by a spring 62 bearing on the adjacent end of lever 43 and entering a depression in wall 2| and the pressure exerted on said lever operates to maintain the slide in the lowermost position. The ypin VI5 of the lever 43 projects above the partition '40 and serves to engage a lug 84 on the pawl '48 to retract the free end of the pawl from the rack 65 secured to the underside of the drawer I4, .so as not to interfere with or restrict the reciprocatingmovements of the drawer. A spring 66 bearing on the lug 64 and entering a depression in the arm 41, turns the pawl into the dotted line position of Figure 5, so that the latter engages the teeth of the rack 65. The partition 49 is provided with the additional slot 61 for the reception of a lever 68 pivoted in `a pendant bear-Y ing 69 secured to the underside of the partition 40. The lever is formed at one end with a cam 10, whereas the other end of said lever` engages with alock plunger 1I reciproeatingly fitted in a lock housing 12, containing a lock 13, which is formed with a tooth 'I4 entering a recess 15 of a horizontal bar 16, which acts on the plunger 1| to keep itin lowermost position The tooth I4 bears on the at part of slide I6 at the right of notch 15, when the slide Vis in its left hand position (Fig. 6). VWhen slide 'I6 is moved to the right by the plunger 1I the tooth 14 may enter the notch I5 through a turning movement applied to lock barrel 13 by a spring 13a. The lock bar 1S is normally held in position illustrated in Fig. 6 by means of a spring 11 secured at one end 4to the bar and at the other end to the housing 12 Vas at 18.

The partition 2| is provided with an aperture through which extends the leg of a locking lever 8|, which is pivotally mounted as at 82 on asupporting block 83 provided on the drawer I4. A 'spring 84 secured to the block 83 bears on the locking lever 8| to maintain the lever in normal position as indicated in Fig. 3. From the foregoing it is clear that when the arm 41 is caused to move inwardly the lever 68 is depressed and the plunger 1| raised. The beveled edge thereof shifts the bar 1B to be held in closing position by the tooth 14 of the lock 13.

When the drawer I4 under emergency operation reaches closing position, its lever 8| snaps over the slide 16 and holds the drawer in locked position until such time as the lock 'I3 is opened by a key.

Secured to the casing I0 and adjacent to the top thereof is a lock 86 provided with a stem 81 to which is secured a cam 88 adapted to close a switch 99 (Fig. 4) secured to the housing I9, the purpose of which will be later described. An additional switch 92 (Fig. 5) is secured to the housing at the top thereof, which switch is adapted to be actuated by a pivoted lever 93 arranged in the cash register and actuated by keys 94 of the cash register.

In Figure 1l, a diagram is shown of the electrical circuits necessary for the operation of the drawer. 95 and 96 designate the main leads to which is connected the primary of a transformer 91. The secondary of said transformer is grounded at one end as at 98 while the other end is connected through a switch 99 to a multiple switch |00 normally held in open position and whose one terminal I 0I is grounded as at |02 through the wall of the casing I0. A multiple switch |03 is provided adjacent to switch |00 and adapted to be actuated simultaneously by an arm |06 held in open position by a relay arm |01 controlled by a relay |08 and by a spring |09.

A line I I0 leads from the positive power line 96 to the switch |04, which, in the position illustrated in Fig. l1, is in electrical contact with the switch member |05 from which a line II extends 'f to the solenoids 60 which by means of the line I I2 completes the circuit to the negative power line 95. The switch member |03 of the multiple switch is in electrical circuit with an alarm II3, y

and is connected by a wire I I4 through one 'side of a relay II5, which may be located elsewhere, for example, in a police station. A line I|6 originating at the relay II5 completes the electrical circuits to the line I2 and negative main 95. The relay II5 is adapted when energized to close a switch I I1 which controls an alarm I I8, preferably located in the vicinity of the relay I I 5.

In electrical connection with the power line 96 by means of a line |20 are a plurality of switches |2| which may be located at various points of the store, in which my invention is located, and which serve to energize the relay |08 previously described.

In operation: The drawer is rst taken out and the arm 41 is swung into the position shown in solid lines in Fig. 3, it being understood that the multiple switch |00 actuated by the relay |08 is set in the position shown in Fig. 3 to energize the solenoid y6|). In that position the arm 41 is held by the lever 43 which engages with the pin 45 the lug 64 of pawl 46 so that the arm 41 is held in functional position but at the same time is disengaged from the drawer, so as not to interfere with the unrestricted opening or closing thereof. Now if one of the switches I2| is closed or switch 92 is closed by the cash register keys, provided switch is in dotted line (closed position) then the relay |08 is energized which trips arm |06 causing the circuit through solenoid 59 to break and closes circuit through the alarm and charges the inner casing with high voltage. A switch |52 is provided at the rear of the casing, as shown in Fig. 7, which is held in open position by a lug |53 secured to the drawer I4 when the drawer is in closed position. As soon as the drawer is opened, the switch |52 closes. If the switch `9|) is in dotted line position (Fig. 11) forcible opening of the drawer I4 closes the switch |52 and energizes the relay |08 which in turn closes the switches |00 and |03 and opens the switch I 05 whereby the solenoid 60 is de-energized, permitting the plunger 56 to release the sliding member 52 cooperating with the lever 43 so that the arm 41 is released and the drawer locked against opening.

The modified form, shown in Figs. 7 to 10, in substance is of a similar construction as the first embodiment'described. However, the means for closing the cash drawer I`4 are as follows: Mounted preferably centrally of the cash box I0 is a tube |25, which is mounted upon standards |26 and |21, illustrated in Figs '7, 8 and 9. The tube |25 is provided with slots |28 (Fig. 10) adapted to receive a connecting portion |29 of a slidable sleeve |30, which is slidably mounted upon the tube |25. 'I'he sleeve |30 is formed with lugs |3| to which are secured the ends of springs |32, the opposite ends of which are fastened to the casing as at |33. The portion 29 of the sleeve |30 is provided with a downwardly projecting lug |34 adopted to engage a plunger bar |35 projecting through an aperture |36 in the tube |25, as shown in detail in Fig. 9. The plunger bar |35, slidably mounted in guiding members |36, is normally held in position, illustrated in Fig. 9 by means of a spring |31 in order to lock the member |30. 'I'he lock bar |35 is provided with a slot |38 to receive the cam portion |40 of a plunger |4|, similar in construction as the plunger 6|, previously described. The plungers |4| are mounted in the usual manner in the solenoid |42. Adjacent to the left hand side of the rail |25, as viewed in Figs. 7 and 8, is mounted a latch member |43 projecting through a slot |44 in the rail |25. The latch member |43 is secured to a spring member |45 formed with a terminal portion |46, adapted to be engaged by a cam |41 carried by the stern |48 of a lock |49. It will be understood that the cam |41 serves to depress the spring |45 to permit the cam latch |43 to be drawn inwardly into the tube |25. The latch member |43 is adapted to engage the bridge |50 formed on the sleeve |30, previously described. The bridge |50 further serves to engage an angle member on the cash drawer I4.

Attention is called to the fact that the latch |43 does not become effective until the bridge |50 reaches the dotted line position shown in Figure '7.

The embodiment shown is predicated on the provision that upon the opening of the circuit the means are set in operation in order to automatically close the drawer. It is, of course, within the purview of the invention to obtain the actuation of the closing means by closing a circuit.

While the drawings show preferred embodiments of the invention, numerous changes and alterations may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not want to be limited to the details of construction or arrangement of parts as shown, but claim my invention as broadly as the state of the art permits.

I claim:-

1. In combination with a sliding drawer, a spring tensioned drawer closing member, means for releasably retaining said member in retracted position to permit no-rmal actuation of the drawer, and means responsive to release of said member and movable transversely to the path of the drawer for interconnecting the drawer and said member to effect movement of the drawer to innermost position.

2. In combination with a sliding drawer, a spring tensioned drawer closing member, means for releasably retaining said member in retracted position to permit normal actuation of the drawer, and means responsive to release of said member for interconnecting the drawer and said member in different positions of the drawer.

3. In combination with a sliding drawer, a spring tensioned drawer closing member, means for releasably retaining said member in retracted position, electrically operated means for releasing said member, and means responsive to release of said member and movable transversely to the path of the drawer for interconnecting the drawer and said member to effect movement of the drawer to innermost position.

4. In combination with a sliding drawer, a movable spring tensioned drawer closing member,

means for releasably retaining said member in retracted position, a normally ineffective latch for holding the drawer closed, means for conditioning the latch by closing movement of said member for effective operation, and means responsive to release of said member for interconnecting the drawer and said member in different positions of the drawer.

5. In combination with a sliding drawer, a spring tensioned drawer closing member, means for releasably retaining said member in retracted position, means responsive to release of said member for interconnecting the drawer and said member to effect closing of the drawer, and means for giving an alarm upon forcible movement of the drawer from closed position subsequent to operation of said member.

6. In combination with a sliding drawer, a spring tensioned drawer closing member, means for releasably retaining said member in retracted position, means responsive to release of said member for interconnecting the drawer and said member to effect closing of the drawer, and means for charging said drawer with high voltage upon forcible movement of the drawer from closed position subsequent to operation of said member.

'1. In combination with a sliding drawer, a spring tensioned drawer closing member, means for releasably retaining said member in retracted position, and means responsive to release of said member and movable transversely to the path of the drawer for interconnecting the drawer and said member to effect closing of the drawer, said interconnecting means remaining in interlocking engagement with the drawer after release of said member.

8. In combination with a sliding drawer, a spring tensioned arm adapted to close the drawer, a spring pressed pawl mounted on said arm for engagement with the drawer, means for releasably retaining said pawl and said arm in retracted positions, and means for withdrawing said retaining means to permit movement of said pawl to engage the drawer and movement of said arm to effect closing movement of the drawer.

9. In combination with a sliding drawer, a spring tensioned drawer closing member, means for releasably retaining said member in retracted position, and means responsive to release of said member for interconnecting the drawer and said member in different positions of the drawer, and for maintaining the interconnection after closure of the drawer by said member.

10. In combination with a sliding drawer, means including a spring actuated driving element for moving said drawer to innermost position and for holding it in such position, normally ineffective means for locking said drawer in such position arranged to be rendered effective by the operation of said first named means, and means for releasably maintaining said rst named means in retracted position.

EARL M. STEVENS. 

